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Advantage: Cubs

By beating the Mets in the house the Amazin’s built, the Cubs clinched home field advantage throughout the NLCS. Now whether they make it that far remains to be seen. However, with the home field advantage Wrigley has been so far this year for the Cubs…that is definitely more great news this club can enjoy, in addition to repeating as NL Central champs, clinching the division on Saturday against the Cardinals.

Marquis pitched a great game today going deep into the seventh inning and provided the game winning grand slam. I always find it weird to see a pitcher hit a home run, even as a national league fan. Of course, I always welcome it regardless.

You can tell its audition season as of late with Pie getting more playing time lately. I admire the fact that Lou is still playing everyone, keeping them ready and trying to built momentum going into the playoffs. Pie has delivered as of late and I believe he will be a great cog to have if we need him in the postseason. Before the season I thought he was the next great CF this league may see. He still could be I suppose, but after watching Edmonds and Johnson take over center this year, it truly shows how much Pie still has left to develop as a player before he contributes at that level on a regular basis.

One thing Fukudome will provide in the postseason for sure is his glove. He’s a smart fielder and made another nice play tonight against the Mets. His bat may have cooled off and the NL may have ‘figured him out’, but his glove is one thing you can’t do anything about. He’ll be a great defensive component if nothing else in the playoffs.

I’m glad Lou is keeping Z in his regular spot in the rotation. After getting hit hard last time out and having such a drastic difference in outcomes in his two appearances after being out for two weeks, Zambrano really needs to be in there on his regular rest. Everyone else has been shuffled slightly to shape up and prepare our four man rotation for the playoffs. That four man group of course will feature Zambrano, Lilly, Harden and Dempster. Four great seasons right there…let’s hope it continues when the calendar flips and we hit October 1.

Speaking of which, still not sure who we’ll be playing which is why Lou hasn’t named a Game 1 starter for October 1. I can’t say I like the Cubs’ chances any more or less when it comes to the Mets or Dodgers. Both teams have been hot and cold as of late, both have big time play makers in their lineups and I feel like their pitching staffs are pretty much equal performance and health-wise at this point, very late in the season.

55-26 at home this year. Best overall record in the National League locked in. Playoffs start October 1.

Writing for:

MLB.COMVINE LINE MAGAZINE - The official publication of the Chicago CubsBASEBALL DIGESTCONNECTICUT TIGERS - Class A Short Season Minor League Affiliate of the Detroit Tigers
Writing Samples available HERE